The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Years. It is not clear whence this sixth and longest servitude is to be dated. If it terminated at the death of Samson, when the Philistines lost their chief nobility, and so forth we must allow that the Israelites began to be obliged to pay tribute in the 6th year of Abesan. A.Calmet. 1193. Salien. Calmet. 12:8. Bible.—Marsham dates from the third month after the death of Jair, to the third year of Samuel, during which period Heli governed in one part, and Jephte, Abesan, Ahialon, and Abdon in other provinces of Palestine. It is not very material which of these systems be adopted, as they do not contradict the text. All Israel was not reduced under the power of the Philistines; but the neighbouring tribes were infested with their incursions, and were obliged to pay tribute. Juda complains at their invading his territory, and they allege that it was because Samson had been the aggressor, which shews that the Israelites retained some little liberty. Calmet. 15:9. Calmet.—The servitude had scarcely commenced, when God provided Samson a deliverer for his people. Salien, A. 2860. Bible.